Paris
Monday 1st April
My dear Henry
I hear that you all complain of my not writing – tho’ without much reason, as you do not write to me – The only one who has, which was Amandier <1> I answered directly. I am sorry to hear your projets de voyage <2> for the summer are come to naught – as I hoped it wd have done you all good – & really there was no time lost as till the last 3 days it has been so cold there would have been no pleasure in travelling – even for less chilly mortals than yourselves. However I hope you will really take them to the Lakes in the summer for change of air – & perhaps we may all meet at Rome afterwards which would be very nice. En attendant <3> we shall expect to see you in the Pyrenees before long & climb some hills together – We are off tomorrow at 9 – by rail to Tours & then to Bordeaux – where we mean to get Friday 5th – & about the 10th to Bayonne – so please direct en conséquence <4> poste restante – I believe we must return there again on leaving Spain as there are so few ways in or out. The weather is now beautiful yesterday being Easter Sunday the whole population was out walking or driving & the Tuileries full of people sitting – It is very unlucky Caroline <5> [illegible deletion] does not come till we are gone but we cannot wait as or it will get too hot for Spain
Perhaps you will find her here when you come. Paris is full of English – hardly a lodging to be got at any Hotel – but few that I know. People seem to think things are in a very precarious state. Gen. Changarnier<6> says he can answer for the army for 3 months – but not more. Are we going to have a religious war in England? – Addio – pray write somebody – or I will not tell you our adventures in Spain. Love to all – I hope A. is better for this change of weather
Yr aff sister
Horatia
Did I pay Wilkins for those Roses fm Hilperton? please enquire & if not pay him for me please
Notes:
1. Amélina Petit De Billier, ‘Mamie’, ‘Amandier’ (1798–1876), governess and later close friend of the Talbot family [See Amélina's journal].
2. Travel plans.
3. As to that or if so.
4. Consequently.
5. Lady Caroline Augusta Edgcumbe, née Feilding (1808- 2 Nov 1881); WHFT's half-sister; Lady of the Bedchamber to Queen Victoria, 1840–1854 & 1863–1865; m. 3rd Earl Mt Edgcumbe 6 Dec 1831.
6. Gen Nicolas Anne Theodule Changarnier (1793-1877), a highly decorated French military and political figure, opposed to republicanism. He crossed Louis Napoleon, however, and in December 1851 was arrested in the coup d'état.